Alekhine Defense: Four Pawns Attack, Trifunovic Variation

A sharp and aggressive chess opening that leads to imbalanced positions and offers chances for both sides to play for a win.

The Trifunovic Variation is a line in the Alekhine Defense, Four Pawns Attack, where Black aims to counter White's central pawn expansion with active piece play. In this opening, White seeks to gain space and central control by advancing their pawns, while Black tries to undermine White's pawn center and create counterplay on the wings. The key move for Black in this variation is the development of their light-squared bishop to f5, putting pressure on White's e4 pawn and potentially allowing for a timely d6-d5 pawn break.

This opening can lead to highly tactical and complex middlegames, with both sides having chances to create threats and exploit weaknesses in the opponent's position. White's pawn center can become a powerful weapon if properly supported, but it can also become a target for Black's counterattacks if White is not careful.

The Trifunovic Variation is named after the Yugoslav Grandmaster Petar Trifunovic, who contributed significantly to the development of this line. It has been played by many top-level players, including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, and remains a popular choice for players seeking a double-edged and fighting game.